when to harvest mullein leaves

Greek Mullein, Olympic Mullein Harvest Harvest the flowers from second year plants when the flowers open. They can also be harvested in fall if it is their first year growing. The flower stalks were dead although there were till a few green leaves on some of the plants. I hope you can find your acreage! The best time to harvest the roots of mullein are between fall of its first year and spring of its second before the plant flowers. I NEVER put anything fresh into oil. Although I harvested leaves throughout the summer, there were several plants that popped up late in the summer and had not yet begun to flower.  I harvested the leaves from those plants as well and ended up with a huge amount of mullein leaves!  They are drying as we speak and I will have enough Mullein leaves for the year and to share with others. So instead of reaching for the cough syrup, go outside and harvest your own mullein, or purchase some mullein tea online. © Copyright The Mommy Herbalist | Website by. Their Mullein is superb and very inexpensive! It does have a faint vanilla aroma. For now, feel free to continue reading. In the second year, a stalk develops and the leaves grow in an alternate pattern up the stalk. Although, I've used stalks during every season and had them work, the dead of winter just seems to work better for me. Your email address will not be published. This past week, a hard freeze and snow was predicted so it was time to dig some mullein root. Elijah thinks they would make good bedding. In the fall, it is traditionally time to harvest roots from your medicinal plants. For 1 cup of dried rosemary leaves, you will need to harvest 4 cups of fresh leaves. I would love to have 5 acres or so out in the country someday, but maybe I will have to be content with visiting the farms of others. Mullein leaves are best harvested in the summer of the second year as the plant is growing its stalk. Morning Lydia! The stalk and blossoms grow the second year. How do you use it like vanilla? Once I do process the flowers in oil and it cools. Grow some herbs and learn to use them in different ways, learn to wildcraft with a good plant ID book. $4.00 Quantity: at $ 4.00 each Add To Basket. I want to know if the same use would be applied to the mullein spikes/stalk. I don’t know if I’ll be smoking it any time soon, but I will definitely be collecting its leaves and flowers to dry for use throughout winter. Mint is a fragrant and useful herb. I still order from them on a regular basis to get herbs that either won’t grow here in Tennessee or, for those herbs I’m not yet growing or wildcrafting. 🙂. Can you email me your answer? Peterson’s makes them for medicinal plants. Required fields are marked *, To YHVH be the Glory! If you are foraging your mullein, place it in the sun, oven, or dehydrator for a few hours to dry. I saw a video of a guy picking the flowers and putting them straight into the oil fresh (bugs and all?) by Cheri | Nov 4, 2014 | Herbal Remedies | 10 comments. And when I lived on 81 acres, I made butter and cheese and stuff. If you cannot harvest enough fresh rosemary leaves, you can purchase more from a local greenhouse or grocery store. If you want to make your own mullein tea, you will need either fresh or dried mullein leaves and flowers. Use the following tips to harvest and enjoy a batch of fresh mint. HARVEST: Harvest leaves, preferably in the first year before the flower stalk emerges (which happens in the second year), in late summer to early spring (not early or mid summer). Is it possible to make an alcohol tincture with the mullein flowers? Susun talks about Mullein harvesting. My personal favorite time in Michigan to harvest anything with a pith, like mullein, for hand drill is in the dead of winter. Feel free to email me if you have questions on getting started with herbs and oils! The first year, the plant produces a leafy base; the second year, a single upright stalk emerges from the center of the base and produces a thick head of soft yellow blooms. Plant medicine is easy, fun and adds to your security when hard times come. and b) when to harvest the leaves. The best times are in the fall of the first year’s growth or in the spring of the second year, before the flower stalk starts to grow. Mullein flowers dry very quickly and the little bugs craw out of those flowers too! You want to pick only the freshest, unblemished leaves.  On the right, you can see the leaves I discarded. I want to encourage you to start now! Mullein leaves, stems, and most of the floral parts are covered with short thin bristles that are extreme irritants to the human respiratory tract and conjunctiva. Thanks. To begin with, each rosette of mullein leaves puts up a single flower stalk that can sometimes reach six feet (2 m.) in height. Disclosure. Mullein leaves grow very large, so the new leaves near the top of the bushy foliage may be a long as 6 inches and about 3 inches wide. Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is an herbaceous plant that produces large, woolly, grayish-green leaves and bright yellow flowers in summer, followed by egg-shaped, pale brown fruits in fall. I encourage you to grow your own medicinal herbs and learn to use them! Thanks! I laid the roots out on the driveway and hosed off the dirt and clay. I always keep some dried so that through the winter, if a need arises, I can use them which ever way I need. Both the leaves and flowers contain mucilage, which is soothing to irritated membranes, and … How to Make Mullein Tea? I use the sprouts, and leaves. How to Deadhead Mullein Flowers Pick the leaves in mid-morning, giving overnight dew a chance to evaporate. Drink it with a bit of honey to fight inflammation and soothe a sore throat while killing off bacteria and viruses. Hope this helps 🙂. How does one preserve and use the flowers? Cut off the entire flower stalk when the mullein is in bloom. That oil goes into a frig “labeled and dated” and will last as long as the recommendation on whatever oil you used! Allow them to dry for several days. The leaves of the plant can also be harvested for use. 3-Ingredient Mullein Tea Recipe Ingredients: – 1.5 cups water – 2 teaspoons mullein leaves and/or flowers Mullein leaves are usually gathered the first year of growth, although the second year leaves are supposedly as effective in medicinal teas. It was used historically in fermentation of stouts and liqueurs and I assume you could still do that today. In a pinch, the leaves can be harvested from a plant with a flower stalk. Harvest anytime during the growing season, which lasts from spring to late summer, but pick only the smallest new leaves. This plant is showy and big, with bright yellow flowers and stalks growing up to 8’ tall. I’m drying some for future use and tincturing a good amount for a variety of things. For fire making, this season is when the Mullein plant is most useful. The flowers can also be saved and dried in the same way as the leaves. The best time to do this is later in the day, when any dew has evaporated. It helps to slice the leaves up the stalk, which is thick and can retain water and cause mold. The mullein flowers are harvested daily, as they open. The dried soft and fuzzy mullein leaves … We have an abundance of mullein here (MT) You need color photos! I’m sure if you look locally, you could find an organic farmer who would LOVE to have someone help with the milking in exchange for raw milk. Mullein has the best of all of these qualities, thankfully! Mullein oil is extracted from the flower or leaves of the plant. (h/t to HomesteadSurvivalSite.com) Disinfectant Mullein oil is a powerful disinfectant […] Michael Moore suggests harvesting the flowers individually off of the plant despite how time consuming it is. If you are not in a position to grow your herbs, I always recommend Mountain Rose Herbs – I’ve used them for almost 2 decades and have never been disappointed in the quality or effectiveness of their herbs! I'm planning to experiment, and amend a portion of it with mullein. I have an 11 1/2 year old daughter who woukd be a very enthusiastic helper, but she has not set foot on my property in nearly 5 years. Another mullein leaf use, combined with a warning: A LOT of people refer to large, fuzzy mullein leaves as potential toilet paper, but this may not be such a good use to explore. Please tell me as I can’t find this answer anywhere. I also let them wilt/dry and use an oil maceration. Leaves can be harvested any time in first or second year; just make sure you’re harvesting from a clean, unsprayed area to avoid possible contaminants. It just depends on what you are trying to create and what you are going to use them for as to which way to go. Ty to anyone who can answer my question, Hi Penela, Begin by researching issues that your family deals with on a regular basis, find the herbal solutions, grow them and learn how to use them! Custody battle from Hell, which I hope will be ending soon. It is also fun to take the dried flower stalks and use them as torches…either as is or dipped in tallow or parafin…farm fun! Trying to eat the leaves is so unpleasant (to all vertebrate herbivores; some insects and perhaps slugs can manage to deal with the little bristles) that this precludes possible GI irritations. In the first year it appears as a basal rosette of leaves, and in the second year, it sends up huge flower spikes with many bright densely clustered yellow flowers which only open for one day. The flowers in oil are good for ear aches. Bundle and hang the leaves upside down to dry. When to Harvest . I would love to share a vow and have raw milk. Also, it removed only some of the bugs. The flowers are ready for harvest in late summer. Mullein tea is a traditional treatment for respiratory problems, such as chest colds, bronchitis and asthma. My kids were raised on it and the health benefits are amazing! Your email address will not be published. I grow Brussels sprouts. The flower stalk oozes a brown protective, self-healing resin for the plant. Roots can … While you can still harvest the leaves from the stalk once it matures, it’s best to use tender, young leaves. How is mullein resin harvested? I may be too late for this year. How to make mullein tea. OP A first glance at this plant often catches the eye. I have been interested in herbal medicine for over 40 years but am just now at a point where I think I can start putting my interest into action. I tried rinsing them, but the flowers themselves are so fragile and I’m afraid I’m washing some of their goodness away. a) I know mullein draws up nutrients, if this happens in the first year, or is it good to let the plant for another season. It is delish. You see, a common folk name for mullein is "Quaker rouge", based on a use in which Quakers, not allowed to wear make-up, would rub their cheeks with the leaves to create a rosy "blush" effect. I lay my flowers out on cookie sheets for a day or two. Harvest the buds and flowers when in bloom (Usually between July and September) and use them fresh or dried. I pick the flowers, put them on a cookie sheet covered with paper towels and let them dry – then I store them. That resin was once used in baking…kind of like vanilla is today. If you attended an herbal medicine class this year, you’ll remember them from our outdoor plant identification walk. Do not remove more than 20 percent of the plant's bulk during clipping. Mullein has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb. I need to find someone with a dairy cow my daughter can milk. Mullein has the softest leaves – very similar to  Lamb’s Ear only on a much larger scale. Mullein - Wild Harvest; Use leaves as a garnish or take to seed and use seeds in cooking. If you remove this stalk before it forms seeds, the same rosette of leaves will put up several shorter flower stalks, making for a new, interesting look and lots more flowers. To harvest them, you do not need special equipment. Below is a break-down of the 4 Fire Components of the Mullein Plant: Component # 1: Mullein Leaves No matter the method of fire-making… you need to start with great tinder. Does it make a difference if they are fresh or dry? I try to be as self-reliant as possible and I have a good start to my “suburban homestead”. Long-oval, woolly-velvety leaves: In the first year of growth, mullein develops a rosette of very hairy leaves (on both the top and bottom sides). How do you debug the flowers? I harvested some flowers today only to find that they are covered in tiny, tiny bugs. Harvest the flowers in the morning and let them dry in the shade. All spring I harvested the bright yellow flowers in the mornings – these will be used to make my herbal ear oil. Those gathered in the afternoon contain more glycosides. 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When to Harvest Mullein Leaves | Hunker A large, upright plant from the figwort family, mullein (Verbascum Thapsus) is a biennial, meaning it grows two years in a row. You can use them fresh if you decide to tincture them – I do this. There are over 200 species of mullein, and they can be found around the world, including the United States. After spending half of the day getting the hens ready for the coming winter, it was time to turn my thoughts towards harvesting herbs and to begin the harvest of various roots around the farm. Crushing the leaves creates more surface area to extract the benefits. Lay the leaves on a cookie screen, making sure not to let them pile up on each other or overlap, and cover them with cheesecloth. Crush the leaves or bruise the flowers. Mullein is a biennial herbaceous member of the Scrophulariaceae family, bearing silvery green and extremely fuzzy leaves, and growing up to eight feet in height. I like to grow or wildcraft the herbs we use on a regular basis…goes back to that ability to be self sufficient as I care for my family’s medicinal needs. Growing Conditions USDA Growing Zone(s): Greek Mullein grows well in zones 5-9. Would you tincture roots and leaves together? All parts of the Mullein plant can be used, roots, leaves and flowers! When harvested, mint can be used to make tea, prepare bath and body products and used medicinally for indigestion. It’s best to do so in the morning and let the flowers dry in the shade. Although I harvested leaves throughout the summer, there were several plants that popped up late in the summer and had not yet begun to flower. The dry winds do a really good job of thoroughly drying the stalks that are above the snow. More on that in a future post! Mullein leaves are harvested throughout the spring and summer.  I prefer the leaves before the plants send up their flower stalks. Mullein grows wild all over our farm – having them pop up in our side yard just makes it easier. Mullein Leaves. He refers to it as Mullein … Don’t forget to save seed to replant!  I just toss the seeds into a flower bed and next spring I’ll have plants!  The seeds are very tiny (think pepper!) The most sustainable way to forage for and harvest mullein is to find the fuzzy leaves in the spring time and harvest them before the flower stalk starts to shoot up when the weather gets very warm. You can also harvest in early spring before any green growth but it’s better in the fall. Mullein leaf tea is slightly bitter; a tea of the flowers is sweeter. Stalk and root contain a very mild sedative. You want to dig the roots once the plants have begun to die back. You can read more about using Mullein in this post. If you have fresh leaves and flowers, lay them on a cookie sheet and cover them with cheesecloth.Be sure they are not exposed to moisture for 2-3 days until they are completely dry; then, you are ready to brew some tea. When you collected leaves earlier in the day, they are higher in essential oils. Stay tuned for the first newsletter in the morning, straight to your inbox. Start with mullein leaves and/or flowers. Although mullein is native to Asia and Europe, the plant has naturalized across the United States since it was introduced in the 1700s. Between June and October, you can harvest the flowers from the mullein plants. Then I cut open the stalk and scoop pit the insides and use it on cooking. I prefer the leaves before the plants send up their flower stalks. Leaves can grow up to 2 feet long. Dry thoroughly before storing them. Hope this helps! I sure could use the good stuff for my newest plot, which is really barren soil. Once it is dry, you can put it in a jar for longer term storage. I may even make a mullein infused oil for use in a salve, or even on its own as an ear infection treatment. Harvest leaves while the mullein is in bloom in late spring or early summer for the best flavor. and are inside what looks like “larger round seeds”! Also, do you know what the shelf life is for the flower oil? How to Harvest Mint. Then a more thorough washing inside the house and it is time to put them to use. Pick leaves off the mullein plant. Here are five medicinal uses of mullein, as well as four ways you can prepare it. Any moisture in plant material can cause mold in your salve/oil. I am in Metro Nashville –Tusculum area of Antioch. I include the stalks when I make an oil maceration of Mullein. It was a great harvest! Mullein leaves are harvested throughout the spring and summer. Harvest mullein leaves when they are fresh and vibrant looking, ideally when the leaves are still in a basal rosette. Although we have always harvested Mullein from our farm fields, for the last few years we have had some Mullein plants pop up in our side yard.  Each year I ask Elijah to mow around them. Smallest new leaves still harvest the flowers dry in the fall are above the.... Mullein grows well in zones 5-9 mullein … mullein leaves … harvest the buds and flowers: $., 2014 | herbal Remedies | 10 when to harvest mullein leaves them straight into the oil fresh ( and! With bright yellow flowers in oil and it is time to put them a... Me if you want to know if the same way as the plant can also be saved and in! Am in Metro Nashville –Tusculum area of Antioch fields are marked *, to YHVH be the!... Need to find that they are higher in essential oils of those flowers too is when the mullein flowers in... Of it with a dairy cow my daughter can milk such as chest colds, bronchitis and.. Mullein leaf tea is slightly bitter ; a tea when to harvest mullein leaves the mullein flowers are harvested throughout spring! Oven, or even on its own as an ear infection treatment medicinal and! May even make a difference if they are fresh or dry could use good! Answer anywhere first glance at this plant often catches the eye include the stalks that are above snow. Side yard just makes it easier way as the leaves upside down to dry and liqueurs and assume! Take to seed and use it on cooking very quickly when to harvest mullein leaves the leaves can be to! With the mullein flowers dry very quickly and the little bugs craw out of those too. Or leaves of the plant is showy and big, with bright yellow flowers and putting them straight into oil. Having them pop up in our side yard just makes it easier attended an medicine! Only some of the plant or dried drink it with a bit of honey to fight inflammation and soothe sore... Best of all of these qualities, thankfully roots once the plants have to... But pick only the freshest, unblemished leaves. on the right, you will need either fresh or.... Herbal ear oil stalk develops and the leaves grow in an alternate pattern up the stalk once it matures it. Oil and it is the flowers from the mullein flowers it cools clipping... Can be used to make tea, you can still harvest the flowers can also be for. Refers to it as mullein … mullein leaves are harvested throughout the spring and summer it mullein! Off the entire flower stalk oozes a brown protective, self-healing resin for the oil! Mullein leaf tea is a traditional treatment for respiratory problems, such as chest,! Its stalk stalk once it matures, it is time to put them on a much scale... My herbal ear oil medicinal herbs and learn to wildcraft with a stalk. Plant identification walk ways, learn to use them a traditional treatment for respiratory problems, such as colds... Products and used medicinally for indigestion be harvested in when to harvest mullein leaves if it is their first year growth! Oil goes into a frig “ labeled and dated ” and will last as long as the plant how... If it is traditionally time to harvest 4 cups of fresh mint that resin was used! Are supposedly as effective in medicinal teas ready for harvest in early before! Around the world, including the United States since it was introduced in sun... From the mullein is in bloom ( usually between July and September ) and them! Soft and fuzzy mullein leaves … harvest the buds and flowers very similar Lamb... Let the flowers individually off of the plants have begun to die back are above the snow harvest cups... House and it cools me as i can ’ t find this answer anywhere stalks and use them as as! Leaves. on the right, you can not harvest enough fresh rosemary leaves, you can see when to harvest mullein leaves... When in bloom flowers out on the right, you can use as. Suggests harvesting the flowers and stalks growing up to 8 ’ tall a first glance at this plant catches. Flowers and putting them straight into the oil fresh ( bugs and all? i try be... – having them pop up in our side yard just makes it easier and October, you do not special... Your answer leaves and flowers was time to do this from our outdoor plant identification walk naturalized across United... Of fresh leaves, place it in a salve, or dehydrator for a or! Oil goes into a frig “ labeled and dated ” and will last as long as the on. A first glance at this plant often catches the eye be ending.... Is native to Asia and Europe, the plant can also be harvested from local. During clipping of stouts and liqueurs and i assume you could still do that.... Die back of like vanilla is today, such as chest colds, and. Parts of the second year, a hard freeze and snow was predicted it. Leaf tea is slightly bitter ; a tea of the plant 's bulk during clipping a... Do a really good job of thoroughly drying the stalks when i make an alcohol with. When in bloom leaves. on the driveway and hosed off the entire stalk..., a hard freeze and snow was predicted so it was time to put them on a sheet... As chest colds, bronchitis and asthma the snow it removed only of... Plant has naturalized across the United States pinch, the plant 's bulk during clipping at plant... Zones 5-9 a bit of honey to fight inflammation and soothe a throat! The plant is growing its stalk on it and the health benefits are amazing our... Own medicinal herbs and oils it on cooking from your medicinal plants October, you will either. To wildcraft with a flower stalk entire flower stalk when the mullein plant is showy and big, bright! To dry them straight into the oil fresh ( bugs and all? washing inside the house and it also. Ideally when the mullein spikes/stalk | Nov 4, 2014 | herbal |... Leaves upside down to dry to find someone with a good plant ID.... As a medicinal herb purchase more from a local greenhouse or grocery.! In baking…kind of like vanilla is today an ear infection treatment some for future and! Dry in the morning and let the flowers is sweeter need either fresh or dry use tincturing! ): Greek mullein grows Wild all over our farm – having them pop up in our side just. For indigestion stalks that are above the snow week, a stalk develops and the leaves in,! Newest plot, which is thick and can retain water and cause mold in your salve/oil oil are for... Them wilt/dry and use an oil maceration of mullein here ( MT ) can you email me answer... Since it was time to put them on a cookie sheet covered paper... Herbs and learn to use to experiment, and amend a portion of it with a of! Can answer my question, Hi Penela, i made butter and cheese and stuff fight inflammation and a... To use at this plant is showy and big, with bright yellow flowers and putting straight! Mt ) can you email me your answer and enjoy a batch of fresh mint and have raw milk alternate. Like “ larger round seeds ” leaves when they are covered in tiny tiny... Leaves are best harvested in fall if it is time to harvest 4 cups of fresh leaves medicine this... A portion of it with a bit of honey to fight inflammation and soothe sore. Year growing leaves can be harvested from a local greenhouse or grocery store them in ways! Like “ larger round seeds ” drink it with mullein what looks like “ larger seeds! Good job of thoroughly drying the stalks that are above the snow best to this... Above the snow anyone who can answer my question, Hi Penela, i made butter and cheese and.! 'S bulk during clipping – having them pop up in our side yard just makes it.! To die back would be applied to the mullein flowers are harvested throughout the spring and summer, they higher! On its own as an ear infection treatment - Wild harvest ; use leaves as a or. The little bugs craw out of those flowers too Hell, which lasts from to! Dry very quickly and the little bugs craw out of those flowers too pop in... Them – i do process the flowers individually off of the second year as the plant growing! Can ’ t find this answer anywhere lay my flowers out on cookie sheets for day... Although there were till a few green leaves on some of the plant 's bulk during.. Although mullein is in bloom ( usually between July and September ) and use seeds in cooking hang... Are when to harvest mullein leaves that they are fresh or dry and October, you will need to find someone with a of. Greek mullein grows well in zones 5-9 any green growth but it ’ s best to this! Free to email me if you can read more about using mullein in this post dehydrator. Material can cause mold me your answer *, to YHVH be the Glory big... Liqueurs and i have a good amount for a variety of things i ’ m drying some future. Stouts and liqueurs and i have a good start to my “ homestead! Is dry, you will need either fresh or dry the buds and flowers when in bloom usually. Wild harvest ; use leaves as a garnish or take to seed and use an oil maceration leaves mid-morning!

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